But I buy free-range, organic, and humane-labeled animal products. If animals used by those sorts of operations are treated well, can’t I buy their products without causing unnecessary harm to animals?
The assumption that “free-range,” organically certified, and “humane”-labeled products come from animals who are treated well cannot be supported by fact. These animals are used as a means to human ends and they are slaughtered to become products for consumption, both of which constitute harm to animals. “Free-range,” organic, and “humane-raised” labels are attempts to make animal exploitation seem more acceptable and to help humans feel more comfortable using and consuming animals.
The only acceptable response to the fact that it is wrong to cause unnecessary harm to animals is to not use them at all, regardless of how they are treated.
December 16, 2013